senior citizens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'senior citizens' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to elderly people in a respectful way. For example: "The City of New York offers a variety of programs and services for senior citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Let's talk about senior citizens.

Los Angeles Times

Predominantly senior citizens.

The Economist

What about very senior citizens?

The New York Times

Senior citizens are allowed to be grumpy.

The New York Times

And, finally, almost half our "senior citizens".

The New Yorker

Senior citizens, to be sure, merit protection.

The New York Times

Senior citizens are unnatural".

The New York Times - Books

For senior citizens, 149percentt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

People outside the workforce (e.g. senior citizens and disability pensioners).

BMC Pediatrics

The cost for senior citizens is $3.50.

The New York Times - Style

Tompkins County Senior Citizens Councill.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "senior citizens", consider the context and audience. While generally acceptable, be mindful of potential ageist connotations and opt for more neutral terms like "older adults" when appropriate.

Common error

Be careful not to use overly sentimental or patronizing language when discussing "senior citizens". Focus on their experiences, contributions, and perspectives with respect and dignity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "senior citizens" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify a specific demographic group based on age. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from news reports to academic studies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "senior citizens" is a commonly used noun phrase to refer to older adults, as confirmed by Ludwig, with numerous examples in news, science, and academic contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to be mindful of potential ageist connotations and consider using more neutral alternatives like "older adults" in formal settings. Ludwig's AI also confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. When using "senior citizens", focus on respectful and dignified language, avoiding patronizing tones. Overall, this term serves the communicative purpose of categorizing and discussing issues related to older populations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

older adults

A more general and widely accepted term.

the elderly

A collective noun referring to older people as a group.

elderly people

A common synonym, but can sometimes be perceived as less respectful.

older generation

Focuses on the generational aspect of aging.

aged individuals

A formal and slightly clinical term.

the aged

A more formal and less common term.

retirees

Refers specifically to individuals who have retired from work.

seasoned citizens

A euphemistic and less common alternative.

golden agers

An older, somewhat dated, and occasionally patronizing term.

old-age pensioners

Specific to those receiving old-age pensions.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "senior citizens"?

You can use alternatives like "older adults", "elderly people", or "the elderly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the term "senior citizens"?

While generally acceptable, "senior citizens" can sometimes be perceived as ageist. Using more neutral terms like "older adults" is often preferred in formal or sensitive contexts.

What's the difference between "senior citizens" and "the elderly"?

"Senior citizens" is a more specific term referring to older people, often associated with retirement benefits and programs. "The elderly" is a broader term referring to people in their later years.

How do I use "senior citizens" in a sentence?

You can use "senior citizens" to refer to older people in general, such as "The community center offers various activities for "senior citizens"".